This year, I chose to grow my strawberries in hanging baskets, as pictured above. I have 4 of those baskets hanging from the deck of my house.

If you choose to plant them in the ground – make sure that they aren’t planted in the same soil as tomatoes, peppers or eggplants… and that none of those vegetables have been planted in that soil for at least the past 3 years. (see why I do hanging baskets??)

My neighbor has one whole 50×50 space dedicated to strawberries. A farm down the street from us dedictates full acerage to strawberries. And here I am with my pathetic little hanging baskets! But! They produce really sweet, gorgeous berries all summer long and I love having them hang outside the kitchen so I can just step out and pluck a few to add to my yogurt or ice cream!

Grow in full sun all day and expect luscious berries in 3 months. They are BEAUTIFUL ornamental plants, which will dazzle your visitors. They should be spaced 10″ – 14″ apart depending on level of fertilization and plant size. Pajaro variety produces the largest plants requiring the greater planting distance,

Prune off all runners that develop the first season so all the energy is focused into fruit production. If the plants are not sized up when flower production starts, remove first flush of flowers. If berry production or plants are less vigorous in subsequent years, you may want to put in new plants in fresh soil to get that incredible vigor you witnessed the first year. Commercially, they are usually treated as annuals, even though; they are in fact, perennials

Along with the hanging baskets, I also have a couple of these on order to be delivered by the end of the week – - I’m keeping these right outside the patio doors to my kitchen:

Strawberry Planter

MMMMMM.. strawberries! If I had to pick a favorite plant in my yard – - this one might just be IT!

Size: Grows 18-15 inches tall and 18 inches to 10 feed wide, depending on the type.

Features: Easy, attractive bushes that produce tasty fruits in the summer. It’s one of the best bird-attracting plants around, so be sure to plant one for the birds and one for you, and plan on draping plants with nets if you want all the berries. Makes an oustanding ornamental shrub with lustrous green leaves and attractive white bell-shaped flowers in spring. Some varieties have good fall color.

Uses: In the berry patch, or as a hedge. Used for edible treats for birds or humans.

Needs: Full sun. Moist, acidic soil is a must. Grow in one foot raised beds with acidified soil in regions with neutral or akaline soils. Prune each spring. If soil is not naturally acidic, fertilize with ammonium sulfate or another acidifying agent.

Choices: High bush types grow 8-15 feet producing much fruit; berries are especially tasty. Lowbush types grow up to 3 feet tall, short enough for snow to protect them, and are good choices for the North. Choose low chill types for the South. Early, mid and late-season plants are available.